Alert & Warning Systems

Emergency Alert System (EAS)
The EAS provides the President, national, state and local authorities, with the ability to provide emergency information to the general public via broadcast stations, cable and wireless cable systems. While participation in national EAS alerts is mandatory for these providers, state and local area EAS participation is voluntary.  The FCC designed the EAS in cooperation with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Each of these agencies plays an important role. The FCC provides technical and operational requirements of the EAS. To broadcasters, cable system operators, and other participants in the EAS. Additionally, the FCC ensures that state and local EAS plans conform to the FCC’s rules and regulations. The NWS provides emergency weather information to alert the public about dangerous conditions. FEMA provides direction for state and local emergency planning officials to plan and implement their roles in the EAS.

EAS allows broadcast stations, cable systems, participating satellite companies, and other services to send and receive emergency information quickly and automatically, even when these facilities are unattended. EAS was designed so that if one link in the dissemination of alert information is broken, the entire system does not fail. EAS also automatically converts to any language used by the broadcast station or cable system.  Moreover, specially equipped consumer products, such as televisions, radios, pagers and other devices, can decode EAS messages.

ADEM coordinates with the National Weather Service, the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Arizona Broadcaster’s Association to ensure that the EAS is functioning and reaching all intended recipients.  The Director of ADEM has the authority to broadcast an EAS message from the State EOC.  The DEMA Radio Network supplies last-mile broadcasters with EAS messages through specialized equipment.

Communicator NXT Notification System
The Communicator Notification System is a phone system that automates mass notifications.  ADEM currently uses the system for staff recalls, accountability and routine notification.  Software hosted on-site and backed up in Tennessee uses twenty-four (24) phone lines to call many people at one time, and deliver a message.  The system can also request personnel status, and collect estimated times of arrival from responding staff.  The system is tested multiple times per month. ADEM has given training and usage rights to many Arizona county emergency management agencies, along with dozens of state agencies. 

CONTACT
For additional information on any of these programs, contact us for assistance.